This article was originally printed in the Mar/Apr 2026 issue of the California Veterinarian magazine.

CVMA: What inspired you to pursue your VTS?

ARICA CAYTON: After graduating from school and obtaining my CVT (I started my career in Colorado), I worked in the anesthesia department of a specialty practice. To this day, I can distinctly remember all of us gathering for a huge celebration held in honor of a colleague who had just earned her VTS in emergency and critical care (ECC).

While she was already an incredible leader, teacher, and mentor, the accomplishment of her earning her VTS seemed to solidify what we all already knew: she was, after all, revered for her breadth and wealth of knowledge. We all looked up to her, and she was my inspiration. I knew, even at that early stage in my career, that I wanted to become the type of teacher/leader/mentor that she was.

I saw the pivotal role she filled in the hospital, serving as the central point of support for the doctors, technicians, clients, and of course, our patients. I dreamed of being able to achieve the same, someday: to have a similar impact that I saw—and felt—that she had on our entire team.

I always thought that if I were to pursue my VTS, it would be in ECC or anesthesia. But my career path led me to general practice, and I never thought there would be a chance to specialize once I left working in the referral setting (and I honestly just wasn’t aware of how many different academies there were/are).

Fortunately, however, after moving to California, I found myself working at a unique, privately owned general practice. The hospital owner (my boss) is an incredible advocate for continual growth and education within the veterinary field and for everyone in our hospital. One night, I got a text message from my boss enthusiastically asking me if I knew there was a VTS in clinical practice.

Not only did she encourage me to pursue it, but she also offered me any support I needed. By the next morning, I had sent in my letter of intent to the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice (AVTCP), and the rest, as they say, is history.

Why did you choose clinical practice?

I have worked in the field of veterinary medicine for 26 years now. I started out working in general practice as a technician assistant in high school, spent time working in specialty medicine after earning my CVT, and then intentionally found my way back to general practice.

What I love about general practice, and what the VTS in clinical practice deepens your appreciation for, is the range and scope of knowledge that you must have and draw from daily. The scope encompasses everything, including anesthesia, radiology, dentistry, emergency medicine, and beyond. When I was studying for my exam, I wasn’t just studying anesthesia, or nutrition, or medicine—I had to study it all.

What was the certification process like for you?

Oh boy. It was really hard. Writing is not my strong suit and yet writing is such an integral component of the application. I used to (and truth be told, sometimes still do) find it hard to admit that it took me THREE attempts to get my application accepted! But I have slowly come to understand the importance of sharing my story, as there are likely other applicants (current and potential) that need to hear that it may be a harder road for some, and you may not get your application accepted on your first (or second) submission attempt, but it’s so important to not give up on yourself.

I learned a lot about myself during that time, including how tenacious and determined I truly am. I also completed my certification process in 2021, when COVID still presented challenges in terms of in-person testing logistics, which added a whole new level of testing anxiety for me and my cohort that year.

Once my application had been accepted, we then faced the uncertainty of not knowing if we would even be allowed to sit for our test that year. The conference where we were originally scheduled to take our test was cancelled due to a hurricane, and the leadership committee of the academy had to rally together to find a last-minute location for us. To this day, I am grateful for the incredible job they did making it happen for all of us that year.

How has earning your VTS affected and/or expanded your career?

I think many of my fellow aging/senior veterinary technicians (read “those of us with the grey hairs setting in”) will understand this, but earning my VTS has given me a bit more security as I age within the field. I won’t always be able to do all of the bending and lifting and kneeling on the floor all day that I do now, and having my VTS provides me with greater opportunities within the field, both inside and outside of clinical practice (i.e., teaching, lecturing, etc.).

What is your favorite part about being specialized in clinical practice?

I have always been drawn to the mental fortitude and flexibility that working in a high-level clinical practice requires. We have to pull from a constant mixed bag of diagnostics and treatments to manage the ever-changing disciplines each case brings—from dermatology to surgery to nutrition to…you name it! I love that every case brings something new.

For me, the turning point was finding a general practice that offered the quality of medicine and level of care that not only challenged me professionally but also offered incredible support and growth opportunities. This support has subsequently helped me to truly understand and appreciate the vital role I play in caring for our patients and working collaboratively with everyone on our team.

What kind of skills and/or personality do you feel you need to earn a VTS (Clinical Practice) and then excel with it?

I believe that VTS certification is for those RVTs who truly love what they do, are passionate about their chosen profession, and have a love for continuous, ongoing learning. It is a path for those who are not only interested in challenging themselves to achieve the highest level of credentialing, but also for those who want to contribute as much as they can to this field. When you are driven by your passion to see this field grow and evolve, then you will find the determination and resilience needed to succeed.

What advice would you give to an RVT interested in pursuing a VTS?

First, go after the VTS certification if you love what you do and you want to contribute as much as you can to this field. It might not be the easiest journey, but it will be well worth it. My proudest moment ever is when I read the email that notified me I had passed my exam. Also, I found it incredibly helpful to have good mentors and a strong support system. You will have to make sacrifices in your life, and those around you will need to understand and support your goals.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I want the younger generation to know that there IS growth within RVT practice, and the potential to earn a good living. Additionally, imposter syndrome is real in this field. Don’t become a victim of it. When I come up against something challenging, whether personally or professionally, I look back on the years I spent working on my applications and studying for my exam, and I remember: I made it through and earned my VTS. So, I can pretty much make it through anything! I literally tell myself, “I can do hard things.” If you don’t have a cheerleader in your corner, learn to become your own!